Sports
Laver Cup: US Open champion Alexander Zverev seals victory for Team Europe against Team World at London’s O2 | Tennis News
Team Europe regained the Laver Cup as newly-crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev sealed victory against Learner Tien to complete a 13-5 success at The O2 in London on Sunday.
Zverev, who won the French Open and US Open titles this year, lived up to his ‘best player in the world’ tag to secure Laver Cup success give rival Carlos Alcaraz the day off.
The German clinched the trophy for Team Europe after defeating Tien in the second match of Sunday’s finale 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.
“I haven’t won a match here in two years, so I’m happy that I did it today,” said Zverev, who recorded his first Laver Cup singles victory since 2024.
“Massive credit to the entire Team World. They pushed us all the way again. They were champions last year. This year, we had a great team chemistry and I’m very happy that we won.”
Zverev had been talked up by Alcaraz after recent Grand Slam wins before this Ryder Cup-style event at The O2, but he lost in the doubles on Friday and let slip multiple match points against Alex De Minaur on Saturday.
Alcaraz wrestled back the initiative at the end of day two before Zverev teamed up with Casper Ruud to triumph in the doubles and leave Team Europe only two victories from glory ahead of Sunday’s session.
After initially falling a break behind, Cobolli and Mensik settled into their rhythm and took control, racing past Team World’s De Minaur and Taylor Fritz 7-5 6-3 to stretch Europe’s lead to 10-5.
Flavio Cobolli and Jakub Mensik moved the boys in blue a step closer by beating Fritz and De Minaur in the doubles, which opened the door for Zverev to bring a run of three defeats in four editions for Team Europe to an end.
Zverev struggled against rookie Tien, although did have the insurance policy of team-mate Alcaraz up next if required, but the two-time major winner secured victory to help Team Europe prevail in front of tournament co-founder Roger Federer, who was sitting alongside Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who returned at the US Open after a lengthy lay-off due to a wrist injury, had been scheduled to face Australian De Minaur in a later singles match.
Rising 20-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar was due to play Fritz, but neither match was needed after Zverev wrapped up the contest.
“We had three chances to close it out in the singles,” Zverev added. “Especially with Carlos playing after me, I think that gives me a lot of confidence and gives me a little bit of freedom to play.
“But still, it was an incredibly tough match. Credit to Learner as well.
“I think Carlos is also very happy that I closed it out. And me too, by the way! I’m very happy that I won.”
Europe have now won six of the nine editions.
Czechs claim 12th Billie Jean King Cup crown
Czech Republic brushed aside Ukraine to win their 12th Billie Jean King Cup title in Shenzhen with Karolina Muchova and Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova delivering an unassailable 2-0 lead in the final.
Wimbledon runner-up Muchova swept past Anhelina Kalinina 6-2 6-3 in the opening singles rubber before Noskova toppled world No 7 Elina Svitolina 6-3 7-6 (7-5) to seal the title.
The Czechs are the second-most successful nation in the history of the premier international women’s team competition, behind the USA, who hold a record 18 titles.
Ukraine were seeking their first Billie Jean King Cup crown.
Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App. You can watch the you can watch the WTA 1000 China Open live on Sky Sports from Wednesday.
>
Sports
Nations League: Craig Bellamy ‘hurting’ as Wales outclassed by Denmark
Denmark dominated early on and saw Mikkel Damsgaard fire against the post shortly after Isaksen had a goal disallowed for offside.
Despite an improvement from Wales after the opening half an hour, they were ultimately undone from two Danish set-pieces.
“I said to the players before the game, ‘this is going to be tougher than Portugal’,” Bellamy added.
“It was a different challenge but a very difficult one. The best team won overall.
“As disappointed as I am with that, the result I probably think was fair.”
Defeat – which came just three days after a 1-0 loss to Portugal in Lisbon – leaves Wales with plenty of work to do.
They will at least have home advantage at Cardiff City Stadium as they prepare for the remainder of the current international break, with matches against Norway on Thursday, 1 October and then Denmark the following Sunday.
Captain Davies feels Wales are being taught some harsh lessons in what is their second stint in the top tier of the Nations League.
“It was a tough game. They are a good team and made it a hard game for us,” the Spurs defender told BBC Match of the Day Wales.
“It was really frustrating to concede from two set pieces. The Nations League games are against the best teams in Europe, it was always going to be tough.
“If you’re not at 100% then you are going to get punished at this level. We have to regroup and go again on Thursday.”
Despite the setback in the Danish capital, winger Sorba Thomas echoed Bellamy’s sentiments that Wales can improve.
“Thankfully we’ve got two games at home still to come. We’ll have home advantage so we need to show a reaction,” he told BBC Match of the Day Wales.
“We are just going to get better, we are a small nation but we’ve got big hearts and beliefs and for us it’s about showing that more on the pitch.”
>
Sports
York crowned champions after seeing off Wigan

Highlights of the Women’s Super League Grand Final between Wigan and York Valkyrie.
>
Sports
England boss Thomas Tuchel says Jude Bellingham is better when he plays with a ‘bit of rage’ ahead of facing Czech Republic | Football News
Thomas Tuchel believes a “bit of rage” gets the best out of Jude Bellingham as the England star and his team-mates prepare to face the Czech Republic.
A sold-out Wembley witnessed a rollercoaster return to action after the World Cup as the side that lifted the trophy travelled to a team reeling from the painful semi-final collapse against Argentina.
Spain overcame England in the Euro 2024 final and beat them again in a helter-skelter Nations League opener that ended 3-2 as Tuchel’s side showed defensive vulnerability along with some promise.
Real Madrid star Bellingham shone particularly brightly against some familiar faces, whose attempts to rile him – like some World Cup opponents – only helped bring the best out of him.
“He likes that,” England boss Tuchel said as he prepares his side to face the Czech Republic on Tuesday. “He gets better if that happens.
“It’s better if he plays with a bit of rage. It’s what he does. I think sometimes he is looking for these moments to get his fire going.”
When Bellingham’s slanging match with Real Madrid team-mate Marc Cucurella was mentioned, Tuchel said: “I think he doesn’t know any team-mates when he is in the national team.
“He wants to win. He doesn’t know any team-mates. He is still friends with them, but not for the 90 minutes.”
Bellingham helped England push to the death against Spain and forced a late save from Unai Simon at the end of a week that saw him crowned England’s Player of the Year for the second straight season.
Tuchel would love to start the 23-year-old as the four-match autumn camp continues in the Czech Republic on Tuesday, and the German expects the midfielder to put in another all-action display.
“It’s the only style he can play; that’s just his game,” he said. “It’s not an economic game, but let’s see.
“I would love to have him four times on the pitch. I think the concern is that he hasn’t done it this season in this tight period.
“We will need to check with the physios. We will not put Jude at risk. But in terms of style, it’s just how he plays.”
Tuchel: I would love not to rotate – but not sure it’s possible
Tuchel has already said fellow star Harry Kane is “desperate to start all four” games during this meet-up, but the intense period of matches brings an extra focus on players’ fitness.
England fly to Prague on Monday, two days after the 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley, amid a gruelling schedule of four Nations League matches in 11 days.
“I would love not to rotate, to be honest,” Tuchel continued. “I am not sure if it’s possible.
“My ideal scenario would be to go again and go again and go again, with six or seven players minimum from that start again that we trust.
“To put the responsibility on them and let them feel the trust. But I am not sure it’s possible. Let’s see.”
Despite the focus on player load management during the extended international break, Tuchel says he has never spoken to any of the Premier League managers about limiting minutes of their players, and he doesn’t intend to start doing so now.
Having been a club manager himself, Tuchel admits that in his previous life that would have worried him.
But now, he says his only priority is England, and his desire is to have a core group of senior players who can play in every game of this international break.
“I never take calls from Premier League managers. No, I never called any national team coach. I cannot manage the players; it is just impossible.
“And I knew, as a club coach on the other side, we had this example many times. If I called a coach in Brazil or Argentina, they would not know what I’m talking about, and the players would not know what I am talking about.
“So why would I start doing this and maybe give the players the impression that it is maybe ok to take a step back or maybe to share a half, or to rest one match? Why would I? I would never. This matters. We want to win the next match.”
England’s upcoming Nations League Group A3 fixtures
Tuesday September 29: Czech Republic (A), kick-off 7.45pm
Saturday October 3: Croatia (A), kick-off 5pm
Tuesday October 6: Czech Republic (H), kick-off 7.45pm
>
-
movies4 months agoSearch For Canadian TV Actor Stewart McLean Now Homicide Investigation
-
Fashion9 years agoThese ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
-
Fashion9 years agoAccording to Dior Couture, this taboo fashion accessory is back
-
Fashion9 years agoModel Jocelyn Chew’s Instagram is the best vacation you’ve ever had
-
Fashion9 years agoEmily Ratajkowski channels back-to-school style
-
Fashion9 years ago9 Celebrities who have spoken out about being photoshopped
-
Anime4 months agoRurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc Manga Takes 1-Issue Break – News
-
Anime3 months agoHIDIVE to Stream English Dubs for The World Is Dancing, The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World, The Dangers in My Heart: The Movie Anime – News



